● Look at your opponent’s move to see all the reasons why it was made. This includes, but is not limited to: "What are his threats?”. Don’t forget to look for discoveries, unguarded squares, etc.
● Look at what moves you might play (candidates) and what might happen after each of those moves, then determine which one leads to the position you like the best. Always assume the best or most dangerous moves by your opponent. When picking candidates, start with checks, captures, and threats for both sides.
● Look for the seeds of tactical destruction for both sides. If you have a tactic consider playing it; if your opponent has a tactic, strongly consider stopping it; if there is no tactic, what are you trying to do? If you don’t know, consider improving the placement of your least active piece. Always try to use all your pieces all the time! Similarly, try to minimize the activity of your opponent’s pieces.
● If you see a good move, look for a better one – you are trying to find the best most that you can in a reasonable amount of time.
● Manage your time so that you spend much less than average on non- critical moves (use general principles), which allows you to have more time to spend on critical moves (use precise calculation). Try to use almost all your time in each game.
We can summarize good, simple chess in one sentence:
“First, see if there is a tactic for either side; if so, address it; if not, maximize the activity of your pieces and minimize your opponent’s.”
You can play pretty well, if you just follow that advice!
A similar statement is:
"Take your time to do the best you can at keeping your pieces as safe and active as possible – while doing the opposite for your opponent’s pieces.”
How does one play “simple” chess?
Let’s list five steps:
● Look at your opponent’s move to see all the reasons why it was made. This includes, but is not limited to: "What are his threats?”. Don’t forget to look for discoveries, unguarded squares, etc.
● Look at what moves you might play (candidates) and what might happen after each of those moves, then determine which one leads to the position you like the best. Always assume the best or most dangerous moves by your opponent. When picking candidates, start with checks, captures, and threats for both sides.
● Look for the seeds of tactical destruction for both sides. If you have a tactic consider playing it; if your opponent has a tactic, strongly consider stopping it; if there is no tactic, what are you trying to do? If you don’t know, consider improving the placement of your least active piece. Always try to use all your pieces all the time! Similarly, try to minimize the activity of your opponent’s pieces.
● If you see a good move, look for a better one – you are trying to find the best most that you can in a reasonable amount of time.
● Manage your time so that you spend much less than average on non- critical moves (use general principles), which allows you to have more time to spend on critical moves (use precise calculation). Try to use almost all your time in each game.
We can summarize good, simple chess in one sentence:
“First, see if there is a tactic for either side; if so, address it; if not, maximize the activity of your pieces and minimize your opponent’s.”
You can play pretty well, if you just follow that advice!
A similar statement is:
"Take your time to do the best you can at keeping your pieces as safe and active as possible – while doing the opposite for your opponent’s pieces.”
http://www.chesscafe.com/text/heisman67.pdf